Apparatus and system for air conditioning output measurement and coolant servicing

Abstract

An apparatus and method for measuring air conditioning output temperature to ensure the proper amount of refrigerant for recharging or servicing a coolant system, such as an automobile coolant system, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a measurement display for viewing the temperature of air conditioning output inside a vehicle while the user is outside the vehicle recharging or servicing a coolant system. The measurement display is in communications with a temperature sensor measuring the air temperature at a vent inside the vehicle to allow a user to ensure proper recharging of the coolant system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for servicing a vehicle coolant system, the apparatus comprising:
 a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of air output at an air conditioning vent inside a vehicle;   a housing; and   a display module, disposed within the housing, including circuitry in communication with the temperature sensor, and a display screen configured to display to a user the temperature of air output at the air conditioning vent inside the vehicle, and/or an indication of the sufficiency of the refrigerant in the vehicle coolant system;   wherein the temperature sensor is adapted for use inside the vehicle while the display is adapted for concurrent use outside the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor is in wired communications with the display. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor is in wireless communications with the display. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a recessed portion for storing the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , where in the temperature sensor further comprises an automatic timer adapted for turning off the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured for use with a bottle actuator assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor further comprises a clip for securely attaching to the vehicle air conditioner vent. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further configured for use with an additional temperature sensor in communication with the display module for determining the ambient temperature outside the vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the display module circuitry includes a comparison of the temperature of air output at the air conditioning vent inside the vehicle and the ambient temperature outside the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a bottle actuator assembly configured to be mounted on a bottle of refrigerant and deliver refrigerant from the bottle to the vehicle coolant system, wherein the housing is mounted on the bottle actuator assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the bottle actuator assembly includes a trigger configured to be actuated by a user to control delivery of the refrigerant. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an air intake temperature sensor configured to be mounted at an air intake vent inside the vehicle, the air intake temperature sensor being in communication with the display module. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the display module further includes buttons configured to allow a user to toggle through the information displayed on the display screen. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for servicing a vehicle coolant system, the apparatus comprising:
 a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of air output at an air conditioning vent inside a vehicle;   a housing;   an indicator, disposed within the housing, in communication with the temperature sensor for providing an indication of the sufficiency of the refrigerant in the vehicle coolant system based;
 a processor and a memory, disposed within the housing, configured to store data and instructions, and further configured to determine, based on a static ambient temperature, a target temperature output of the air conditioning vent for indicating when sufficient recharging of the vehicle coolant system is reached; and 
 further wherein the temperature sensor is adapted for use inside the vehicle while the display is adapted for concurrent use outside the vehicle. 
   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising: a wire in electrical communication with the temperature sensor and indicator. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the temperature sensor is in wireless communications with the indicator. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the housing further comprises a recessed portion for storing the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , where in the temperature sensor includes an automatic timer capable of turning off the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the housing is adaptable for use with a bottle actuator assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the temperature sensor further comprises a clip for securely attaching to the vehicle air conditioner vent. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for servicing a vehicle coolant system, the apparatus comprising:
 a first temperature sensor for obtaining a temperature of air output at an air conditioning vent inside a vehicle;   a housing;   a second temperature sensor housing for obtaining the air temperature at an air intake vent inside the vehicle;   a display, disposed within the housing, in communication with the first and second temperature sensors; and
 a processor and a memory, disposed within the housing, configured to store data and instructions, and further configured to determine, based on the air temperature at the intake vent inside the vehicle, a dynamic target temperature output of the air conditioning vent for indicating when sufficient recharging of the vehicle coolant system is reached. 
   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the display indicates when the temperature of air output at an air conditioning vent inside the vehicle reaches a target temperature relative to the intake air temperature. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the display indicates that the difference between the second temperature measurement and the temperature of air output at the air conditioning vent reaches a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the housing is adapted for use with a bottle actuator assembly.